Money Matters: Devotions from Time of GraceSample

Saving Money God’s Way: Be a Good Manager for God

You know, in all honesty, we’d have to admit that in our prayers we probably do a lot of asking for more things. What we don’t do enough of is ask for wisdom and strength to take better care of the things we already have. We’re all custodians and managers of God’s generosity, and let’s face it, it’s easy to take our possessions, our jobs and our families for granted and to neglect them as we dream about an upgrade.

“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds” (Proverbs 27:23,24). Livestock in the ancient world was like money in the bank--it was how wealth was stored and power measured. A herd needs careful tending, or it won’t reproduce at the right time. A herd that isn’t reproducing will simply die off in a few years.

Most of us don’t own cattle. But we can take inventory of what we are managing for God. We can take pride in our stewardship. We can seek Christ’s healing forgiveness for the messes we’ve made and damage we’ve done. And we can seek and expect wisdom and strength from the Holy Spirit to get better at our management.

It is liberating to see ourselves more and more as employees in God’s huge, wonderful company. He loves it when we take care of our part of the business.